Lyrics of
Danny Boy

Oh Danny Boy is a ballad written by the English composer Frederick Weatherly in 1910. Initially it was set to a different tune, but Weatherly modified the song to fit the Londonderry Air melody in 1913, after his sister-in-law in America, Jessica Walton, sent him the music. The lyrics speak of a father addressing his son, Danny, predicting that he will not be there when his son returns to his homeland. The song gained widespread popularity and wa ... s adopted in many contexts, becoming especially associated with Ireland and the Irish diaspora. See more [+]

Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen and down the mountain side
The summer's gone and all the roses falling
'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide

But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
And I'll be here in sunshine or in sha- dow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy I love you so

But if he come and all the roses dying
And I am dead, as dead I well may be
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an Ave there for me

And I shall feel, though soft you tread above me
And then my grave will richer, sweeter be
For you will bend and tell me that you lo- ve me
And I shall rest in peace until you come to me
And I shall rest in peace until you come to me